A2 Briefs

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October 7, 2012

Classmates and friends are questioning why a police officer fatally shot a University of South Alabama freshman who was naked and had been banging on a window at police headquarters.

Campus officials didn't give any indication that Gil Collar, 18, of Wetumpka had a weapon when he was shot. A university spokesman said he was fatally wounded about 1:30 a.m. Saturday after an officer heard a bang on a window and went outside to investigate.

A statement issued by university spokesman Keith Ayers said Collar, who wrestled at Wetumpka High School before enrolling at South Alabama, assumed a “fighting stance” and chased an officer before being shot.

Pennsylvania

Boy shot in crib; mother is charged

Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania have charged a mother with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 19-month-old boy struck by a gunshot in his crib.

Officers responding to a 911 call from a Slatington apartment late Saturday found Anthony Pallone Jr. with a gunshot wound.

Investigators say the mother told officers she was planning to sell a gun and was unloading it when it fired.

The coroner ruled the death a homicide.
California

State's gas prices still at record highs

California motorists faced another day of record-breaking gasoline prices Sunday, though relief appeared to be on the way.

In its latest update early Sunday, AAA reported that the statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $4.655.

Saturday's average price was $4.614.

The 4-penny-per-gallon jump Sunday was less than Saturday's increase, which was 12 cents.

Sunday's price, like Saturday's, was the highest in the nation, with the Golden State overtaking Hawaii as the state with the most expensive fuel due to a temporary reduction in supply.

Georgia

Meningitis outbreak prompts wide recall

The pharmacy that distributed a steroid linked to an outbreak of fungal meningitis has issued a voluntary recall of all of its products, calling the move a precautionary measure.

The company said in a news release that the move was taken out of an abundance of caution because of the risk of contamination. It says there is no indication that any other products have been contaminated.